Court action for Shropshire landlords who breach fire safety rules, county expert warns

Barry Mould from Shires Fire and Safety on Stafford Park said landlords, especially new landlords, were often unaware of the seriousness of the consequences of not complying with the regulations.

Mr Mould has launched the free advice sessions after a councillor was fined £45,000 for fire safety breaches after failing to obtain the necessary licence for a house in multiple occupation and 11 fire safety offences at his properties in Cheshire.

Barry Mould, managing director of Shire Fire and Safety Ltd based on Stafford Park 17, said:

“Breaches of this nature could lead to serious injury or even death in the event of a fire.

“Landlords have got a responsibility to ensure their tenants are safe, have appropriate equipment to alert them to a fire and can get out in a fire.

“If regulations are not complied with then it puts them at serious risk.

“Fire alarms, distinguishers and fire escapes all need to be identified and is an expense which cannot and should not be avoided and in the long term it can save thousands of pounds but more importantly save lives.”

The fire safety expert said tenants were often put at further risk when rooms were let out separately resulting in each room being locked but no fire safety put in place.

“As we all knows fires spread quickly and an extra few seconds to get out of a property could be the difference between life and death.

“This is a serious issue and needs addressing today by all landlords whether their portfolio is one property or 100 properties,” he said.

Mr Mould, who is on the committee of the industry governing body Independent Fire Engineering and Distributors Association and is approved by BAFE the organisation which works to improve fire safety standards, are now offering free advice sessions for landlords to learn what regulations they need to comply with and how best to do so.

To book a free a place on a free advice session call Shires Fire and Safety on 0845 423 9990.